Word: idealistic
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Described as "the most pessimistic idealist," or as an "optimistic pragmatist" by acquaintances, Romano seems to understnad that the secret to a moral philosophy lies in its contradictions and occasional inconsistencies. He firmly holds that the guide to the right often depends more on one's heart and turn of mind than on doctrine and sometimes even reason--and that in any case hands-on experience refutes feelings of helplessness or passivity...
...HOORAY, hooray, soon it will be Commencement Day!" the bright-eyed Idealist inside me burst out the other day, radiant and eager, dancing with imaginary sheepskin and mortarboard in each hand...
...disciplining him, then find that the officers who ordered the discipline are lying to protect their own careers. Sorkin's weakest point is character, and the defending attorneys are pure stereotype: a brittle bundle of nerves who pines to be with his family (Mark Nelson), a gifted but ineffectual idealist (Megan Gallagher, in the only unconvincing performance) and the outwardly casual, inwardly intimidated son of a famous father (Hulce). Much the juiciest role, however, is the Ollie North-style commander, played with an infectious grin and a jaguar stalk by Stephen Lang. Even in these optimistic times, he makes...
When Bok was appointed president 18 years ago, he was a great liberal reformer, poised to restore order and democracy to the community after the turbulent years of Nathan M. Pusey '28. Today, he is the liberal-turned-corporate agent. The tired, burnt-out reformer. The idealist as guardian of an amoral status...
...internal conflict? Not on this score, Darman insists. He has described himself as "a long-term idealist and a short-term realist." Now, in an introspective moment, he adds, "That's the most important short thing I've ever said about myself." Realism, of course, often serves as a respectable disguise for political expedience. Eight years ago this month, he was the first White House insider to warn his colleagues that Reaganomics was flawed. He and Stockman later considered sabotaging Reagan's 1981 tax-reduction bill. Concessions to assorted special interests, necessary to overcome the Democrats' competing proposal, were becoming...